..Taking On More Roles Than Ever - From Tutor, To Cook, To Babysitter, To Taxi Driver…

A study of grandparents and great-grandparents in the North West by McCarthy Stone, has revealed as many as four in ten (46 percent) are pledging to lend a helping hand as more than half (58 percent) of working parents are having to take on extra hours or additional work in the current climate.

Research for the leading manager and developer of retirement communities which has a Retirement Living Plus development in Macclesfield – John Percyvale Court, has revealed that half (54 percent) of retirees in the North West feel there is more pressure on parents now to make family life and work a success than when they were young, with four in ten (45 percent) vowing to help because they can't stand watching their loved ones struggle with the pressures of work, finances and family life.

As a result, a fourth (45 percent) say that they've pledged to help by dropping the children off and picking them up from school six times a month, with a further forty nine percent babysitting overnight more than four times a month.

When it comes to keeping the kids occupied, more than half (58 percent) have guaranteed to be on hand to entertain the grandkids and play games with them six times a month, while forty three percent will be undertaking a weekly trip to the playground.

Giving advice and guidance (38 percent), taking care of the kids after school (41 percent), cooking evening meals for the family (42 percent) and doing the bath and bedtime routine (28 percent) will also be under grandparents and great-grandparent's remits.

A third (30 percent) will be doing the laundry and pounding the pavement walking the family pet (31 percent), with two in four (25 percent) delving into their toolbox to do DIY jobs around the house.

Fifteen percent say they will pay for the weekly shop, help sort out finances (15 percent), while a tenth (11 percent) will put their hands in their pockets to pay for their grandchildren's household bills and mortgage.

Fiona Brooks, Divisional Sales Director at McCarthy Stone North West said:

"With parents facing increasing financial pressures they are leaning on grandparents more than ever, but they don't always live close enough to be able to help their families as much as they'd like."

"At McCarthy Stone we have over 500 developments across the UK and many of our homeowners at John Percyvale Court have moved to be closer to families. By living somewhere more suited to their needs and because of the help our teams provide – which is everything from building maintenance, to gardening, to additional care and support if needed - our homeowners have more time to spend on the things they enjoy. This means they can balance the enjoyment of a relaxing retirement with providing practical help to their children in these uncertain times."

"Furthermore, the last thing the older generation want to do is add any pressure to families' already busy lives. This is where our developments offer many benefits – emergency call systems to all apartments which offers easy access to support if they ever need it; as well as plenty of opportunities to socialise at the weekly activities and coffee mornings."

"Our central locations mean they can be as independent as they've always been, whether they like to do a spot of shopping, head to the theatre, or are looking for ways to entertain the grandchildren. Even holidays are more relaxing, knowing the Estate Manager is there to keep an eye on things back home."

In fact, one in four (26 percent) grandparents and great-grandparents in the North West have moved to be nearer to their family, with modern parents faced with little option than to lean on grandparents even more during these challenging times.

Of the retirees surveyed, two thirds (72 percent) say they are more than happy to help, while four in ten (44 percent) believe it is their role as a parent to help in any way they can.

One in three (34 percent) say helping out has brought them closer together as a family, with a further 32 percent enjoy being needed by the family, which is something that gives them a sense of pride (25 percent).

While one in three (37 percent) admit they have put their children's and their family's needs ahead of their own, grandparents and great-grandparents are still able to find time to enjoy their own interests with four in ten (42 percent) making sure they don't miss catching up on their favourite TV shows, getting outside for a walk (40 percent), as well as going on holiday with their partner (42 percent).

5 THINGS TO DO IN MACCLESFIELD WITH THE GRANDKIDS:

1. Where: Alderley Edge and Cheshire Countryside

Cost: Free admission

Address: Macclesfield Road, Nether Alderley, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4UB

Summary: A great family hiking day out, where you can take in the local beauty spots, including the dramatic red sandstone escarpment with views over the Cheshire Plain to the Peak District.

Link: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/alderley-edge-and-cheshire-countryside




2. Where: Lyme Park

Cost: Adults £6, Child £6

Address: Disley, Stockport, SK12 2NR

Summary: This day out offers an opportunity to step back in time to the regency era by visiting Lyme House, then go on a walk around the 1400 acres with its medieval herd of red deer and rolling woodlands.

Link: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/lyme




3. Where: Superbowl UK Macclesfield

Cost: Adults (16+) from £6.50, Kids from £5.50

Address: Lyme Green Business Park, London Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire,

SK11 0TB, England

Summary: Experience tenpin at its best with 14 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, you can also partake in a game of laser tag, and there is a soft play area for under-12s.

Link: https://www.superbowluk.co.uk/macclesfield/




4. Where: Brookside Miniature Railway

Cost: Under 2's go free, +2 years £2.50 each ride

Address: Brookside Garden Centre, London Road North, Poynton, Cheshire, SK12 1BY

Summary: A time-established miniature railway, which is situated within the Brookside Garden Centre. The track is half a mile long around the garden centre, where you can take in the many scenic attractions along the way.

Link: https://www.bglr.org/brookside-miniature-railway/




5. Where: Congleton Museum

Cost: Donation or free entry

Address: Congleton Museum, Market Square, CW12 1ET

Summary: Congleton Museum is an educational day out where you can discover the fascinating story of the area from prehistoric time, through to the English Civil War and the Second World War.

Link: https://www.congletonmuseum.co.uk/

Prices for a one-bedroom apartment at John Percyvale Court start from £250,000 and from £340,000 for a two-bedroom. Flexible purchasing options are also available.

For further information about McCarthy Stone's John Percyvale Court, please visit: www.mccarthystone.co.uk/john-percyvale-court.